TIPS helps businesses avoid difficulties with drinkers

Monday

Oct 29, 2012 at 9:51 PMOct 29, 2012 at 11:33 PM

Training teaches responsible alcohol sales

By Staff Reports

The Ionia County Substance Abuse Initiative is offering training to teach employees of businesses that sell and serve alcohol how to balance outstanding customer service with responsible alcohol sales.

Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) is for employees of both on-premise (restaurants/bars) and off-premise (grocery/convenience stores and liquor store retailers) consumption.

TIPS helps participants recognize potential alcohol-related problems and intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies. Servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol will develop skills to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking by enhancing their fundamental "people skills." This can be particularly beneficial to employers with less-experienced staff, said Undersheriff Dale Miller.

"A lot of people who work these jobs are younger and just getting into the work force," Miller said. "It's good to look at these identifiers (of when customers are overindulging) to keep servers and employers out of legal issues, or that could result in some kind of accident because they have been over-served."

To become a certified TIPS Server/Seller, participants must finish the two- to three-hour training and pass a written test. Certification is good for three years.

The state-approved training may help reduce exposure to alcohol liability lawsuits, reduce penalties for alcohol violations, lower insurance premiums, prevent property damage and improve customer service and satisfaction, according to Stacy Moore, case manager with the Ionia County Health Department.

"Any time you can educate the public on ways to help keep people safe, it's an excellent idea," Miller said.

Trainings are $16, which covers the cost of the book and test, and are held at the Ionia County Health Department.

Three sessions will be offered for on-premise establishments and two for off-premise; however attendance at just one session is needed for certification. Dates for the training are: